There are no real surprises in the backline - Pat Lambie at flyhalf, Frans Steyn partnering Paul Jordaan in the midfield, Springboks JP Pietersen and Lwazi Mvovo out wide and Louis Ludik completing the line-up at fullback.

"It was a case of the experience factor with the tight five I've chosen," Plumtree said on the Sharks website.

"The way the Cheetahs play influenced a lot of the selections," the coach said, adding: "They have a lot of speed and genuine threats in their backline and we have to be able to match that defensively.

"We've picked a side that has the most experience for the occasion. Scrumhalf was a horses for courses selection in terms of the strengths I require for the day."